BTCC Stars help open new Kart Track in Tamworth

A number of touring car stars went back to their roots last week by helping to open the brand new Daytona Motorsport kart facility in Tamworth.

Sam Tordoff, Adam Morgan and Dave Newsham all took part in the event ahead of last weekends British Touring Car round at Donington Park, which saw professionals and members of the media complete in a team endurance race at the circuit in the West Midlands.

Following a ten minute qualifying shoot-out, it was MSA Formula driver Sennan Fielding who put his team on pole position with Rob Austin Racing‘s Hunter Abbott securing second spot in a 12-kart field that was covered by just 1.2 seconds.

Team Abbott sped immediately into the lead as the pole-sitting Team Fielding fell to the back of the pack – five laps down – during an incident-strewn opening stint. As the race progressed, Team Morgan upped the tempo and took the challenge to the early pace-setter, reducing the deficit to a scant four tenths-of-a-second at a quarter-distance.

As the scrap for the top spot intensified, a penalty for Team Abbott dropped the erstwhile leader down to sixth, two laps adrift, leaving Team Morgan clear at the top of the time sheets. That order was maintained through to the chequered flag, as Team Morgan triumphed ahead of Team (Rafael) Martins and Team (Josh) Cook at the end of 58 laps of fast-and-frantic competition.

Following the circuits inaugural race, Daytona Motorsport Director Jim Graham said he was ‘over the moon’ with how the event had gone.

“It’s taken a year’s hard graft to get to this point, and I need to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everybody behind-the-scenes here at Daytona Tamworth; they’ve all done a superb job to get this place ready. The team is entirely new and all local people, and they’ve settled in seamlessly.”

West Surrey Racing‘s Sam Tordoff heaped praise on the circuit after seeing his team come home 8th overall. “The longer and more realistic you can make a corporate track the better, and this one ticks all the boxes.

“The redeveloped first section is very fast, which complements the tighter end to the lap. The kart’s are brand new and very impressive to drive.”